Abstract: A current driver circuit comprises a digital circuitry having a current adjustment function and operably coupled to a current driver for providing a current to a current consuming device. The digital circuitry comprises, or is operably coupled to, a function arranged to determine a load impedance associated with the current consuming device. The current adjustment function varies a current limit applied to the current driver in response to a variation in the load impedance. In this manner, the load impedance (or temperature) of a current consuming device, such as a light bulb, is used to continuously or intermittently adjusting the current limit of a current driver circuit, such as a lamp driver, to minimize the energy dissipated in case of an overload condition.

Abstract: A clock circuit which may include a first clock input for receiving a first clock signal and a second clock input for receiving a second clock signal. A clock calibration unit is connected to the first clock input and the second clock input. The calibration unit may calibrate the second clock signal relative to the first clock signal. The clock calibration unit may have a calibration output for outputting a calibrated clock signal. The clock circuit may include a switch unit connected to the first clock input and the calibration output. The switch unit can select a selected clock signal selected from the first clock signal and the calibrated signal. The switch unit has a switch output for outputting the selected clock signal. A switch control unit is connected to the switch unit for controlling which signal is selected based on a selection criterion and a clock circuit output is connected to the switch unit for outputting the selected clock signal.

Abstract: A clock failure detection circuit comprises clock failure detection logic having a clock input providing an input clock signal, a counter and a reference clock input providing a reference clock signal to the counter for counting a number of reference clock cycles. The counter comprises a reset input arranged to receive successive reset pulses generated by at least one clock edge of the input clock signal to reset a counter value of the counter. The counter value before reset is used to identify a clock frequency error. A method of detecting a clock failure is also described. By using a counter value based on the reference clock cycles, and a reset trigger based on a clock edge of the input signal, it is possible to identify a clock frequency error in a much shorter time.

Abstract: An integrated circuit comprises a power device located on a die. The power device is operably coupled to a processing function, wherein the signal processing function is operably coupled to two or more temperature sensors. A first temperature sensor is operably coupled to the power device to measure a temperature of the power device and the second temperature sensor is located, such that it measures a substantially ambient temperature related to the die. The signal processing function determines the temperature gradient therebetween.

Abstract: Power supply switching apparatus comprising an output switch for supplying power from a power supply to a load connected to an output terminal, a driver for controlling turn-on of said output switch, and a control signal generator for controlling said driver to produce a desired progressive turn-on characteristic. The apparatus also includes overload detection means responsive to a parameter of the load relative to a reference signal to provide a fault signal in case of detection of an overload condition after a turn-on phase of said output switch. The control signal generator is responsive to the reference signal to activate said overload detection means to provide a fault signal during the turn-on phase of the output switch even in presence of a severe overload condition at the output terminal.

Abstract: The photocatalytic granular mixture for mortar and concrete includes a photocatalyst in the form of at least two granular classes with different B.E.T. specific surfaces. It has a photocatalytic activity greater than that of a monodisperse photocatalyst with a single range of B.E.T. specific surface, and thus permits, in association with a conventional hydraulic binder, to obtain construction and repair materials whose aptitude for self cleaning, for the reduction of odors, and for the depollution of ambient air, is considerably improved.

Abstract: A method is intended to make it possible to drive a PTC electrical load element with a switching unit with the highest possible operational reliability. For this purpose, the electric current is switched off if a predetermined current threshold value is exceeded, the magnitude of the current threshold value being determined from the operating parameters of the load element.

Abstract: Power switching apparatus comprising switch means having a control terminal and output terminals for connection in series between a power supply and a load. The switch means is responsive to a control signal applied to the control terminal to switch between an ON-state in which it supplies power supply current from the power supply through the output terminals to the load and an OFF-state in which it interrupts the supply of power through the output terminals to the load.

Abstract: The photocatalytic granular mixture for mortar and concrete includes a photocatalyst in the form of at least two granular classes with different B.E.T. specific surfaces. It has a photocatalytic activity greater than that of a monodisperse photocatalyst with a single range of B.E.T. specific surface, and thus permits, in association with a conventional hydraulic binder, to obtain construction and repair materials whose aptitude for self cleaning, for the reduction of odors, and for the depollution of ambient air, is considerably improved.

Abstract: A current driver circuit comprises circuitry having a current adjustment function and operably coupled to a current driver for providing a current to a current consuming device. The circuitry comprises or is operably coupled to a function arranged to determine a current level being drawn by the current consuming device. The current adjustment function varies an over-load limit applied to the current driver in response to a variation in the determined current level. In this manner, the current level being drawn by a current consuming device, such as a light bulb, is used to continuously or intermittently adjusting the current limit of a current driver circuit, such as a lamp driver, to minimize the energy dissipated in case of an overload condition.

Abstract: An integrated circuit comprises a power device located on a die. The power device is operably coupled to a processing function, wherein the signal processing function is operably coupled to two or more temperature sensors. A first temperature sensor is operably coupled to the power device to measure a temperature of the power device and the second temperature sensor is located, such that it measures a substantially ambient temperature related to the die. The signal processing function determines the temperature gradient therebetween. In this manner, improved reliability of the integrated circuit and power device is obtained, as the power device utilises the fact that its thermo-mechanical stress reliability strongly depends upon the temperature gradient across the die rather than the number of times it reaches an excessive temperature.

Abstract: A current driver circuit comprises a digital circuitry having a current adjustment function and operably coupled to a current driver for providing a current to a current consuming device. The digital circuitry comprises, or is operably coupled to, a function arranged to determine a load impedance associated with the current consuming device. The current adjustment function varies a current limit applied to the current driver in response to a variation in the load impedance. In this manner, the load impedance (or temperature) of a current consuming device, such as a light bulb, is used to continuously or intermittently adjusting the current limit of a current driver circuit, such as a lamp driver, to minimize the energy dissipated in case of an overload condition.

Abstract: Power supply apparatus with overload protection comprising a switch responsive to an input signal for switching between an ON-state for supplying current from a source of power to a load and an OFF-state for interrupting the supply of current to the load, and protection means responsive to an overload condition to switch the switch to the OFF-state. The protection means is responsive to a first overload condition during an initial phase after the switch switches to the ON-state so as to switch the switch back to the OFF-state and maintain the switch in the OFF-state. The protection means is subsequently responsive to a second overload condition if the first overload condition is not detected during the initial phase so as to switch the switch to the OFF-state and subsequently switch the switch back to the ON-state after an interval of time.

Abstract: The photocatalytic granular mixture for mortar and concrete includes a photocatalyst in the form of at least two granular classes with different B.E.T. specific surfaces. It has a photocatalytic activity greater than that of a monodisperse photocatalyst with a single range of B.E.T. specific surface, and thus permits, in association with a conventional hydraulic binder, to obtain construction and repair materials whose aptitude for self cleaning, for the reduction of odors, and for the depollution of ambient air, is considerably improved.

Abstract: The photocatalytic granular mixture for mortar and concrete includes a photocatalyst in the form of at least two granular classes with different B.E.T. specific surfaces. It has a photocatalytic activity greater than that of a monodisperse photocatalyst with a single range of B.E.T. specific surface, and thus permits, in association with a conventional hydraulic binder, to obtain construction and repair materials whose aptitude for self cleaning, for the reduction of odors, and for the depollution of ambient air, is considerably improved.